ONLY three refugee families from Syria have arrived in Torfaen since the Home Office’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme was announced last year.

Torfaen council rehoused two families before Christmas while one family were relocated to Caerphilly borough during the festive period, with further arrivals planned.

Monmouthshire and Newport are expecting to receive families later this year while Blaenau Gwent, not originally part of the first phase, but have set up an action group to help co-ordinate with partner organisations.

“We are yet to receive our allocation but once we do, the council is committed to providing such support for these vulnerable people once the Home Office agrees options for a regional approach for phase two of its relocation scheme,” said a Newport City Council spokeswoman.

Syrian refugees are being resettled across Gwent as part of the UK Government’s response to the humanitarian crisis in the country and neighbouring nations.

The families who arrive will receive humanitarian protection status and all costs associated with the resettlement are covered in full by the Home Office.

“We haven’t yet received any Syrian refugees though we expect some in the spring,” said a Monmouthshire council spokesman.

“We continue to work with partners to ensure a safe and stable transition for any people resettled through the scheme.”

On Wednesday, it was announced in a debate at the Senedd that 50 families from Syria have been settled in Wales, including Caerphilly and Torfaen.

A spokesman for Caerphilly council confirmed that the authority settled a Syrian family within the area back in December.

The authority has also indicated it will accept further families, but no details about timescales or numbers are available at this stage.

Torfaen has already accepted two families from Syria, and four more are planned to arrive within the next few months.

Torfaen’s executive member for communities, cllr David Daniels, said: “Torfaen has a strong tradition of welcoming families and I am sure the Torfaen community understand their urgent plight and are welcomed like all new neighbours into our community.”

Blaenau Gwent was not originally included in the first phase of allocations but has announced it will help support refugees wherever possible.

“The Council has set up a Refugee Action Group in order to co-ordinate support activities with partners from the housing, health and voluntary sectors,” said a council spokeswoman.

“This task group will continue to liaise with Welsh Government and other agencies to determine the possible numbers of people that can be assisted in the future.”